Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow Recipe
There’s nothing quite like a pastel bowl of Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow to instantly brighten your snack table and spark smiles all around. This dreamy, no-bake treat takes everything you love about classic puppy chow and gives it a berrylicious, strawberry-studded makeover. Light, crunchy Rice Chex cereal gets a gorgeous coating of creamy white chocolate and coconut oil, then swirls around in a pink cloud of strawberry cake mix, freeze-dried berries, powdered sugar, and golden Oreo crumbles. It’s a crowd-pleaser for parties, movie nights, picnics—or whenever a playful, sweet pick-me-up is in order. If you want a treat that feels fresh, whimsical, and just the right amount of indulgent, Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow is your new go-to.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll love how easy it is to pull together the essentials for this snack—and how each ingredient adds its own pop of color, crunch, or creamy-sweet flavor. Here’s what makes every bite so magical!
- Rice Chex cereal: These airy, crisp squares make the perfect canvas for all our flavors and ensure the puppy chow gets that irresistible crunch.
- White chocolate chips: When melted, they turn velvety and luxurious, coating every inch of cereal with a sweet, creamy hug.
- Freeze-dried strawberries: Ground into a berry powder, these give a bold strawberry flavor and that gorgeous, natural pink hue.
- Powdered sugar: The classic puppy chow finisher, making each bite sweet, soft, and cloud-like—and it helps the strawberry flavor really shine.
- Golden Oreos: Crushed to add delicious cookie crumbles, just like the crumbled shortcake you’d find in the real dessert.
- Strawberry cake mix: A little dry cake mix adds sweet, comforting bakery notes and deepens the strawberry color and flavor.
- Coconut oil: Helps the white chocolate melt smoothly and cling perfectly to every cereal piece.
How to Make Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow
Step 1: Prep the Chex Base
Pour your Rice Chex cereal into a big mixing bowl and get it ready for its flavor bath. Using a roomy bowl ensures you’ll be able to toss everything together without crushing the delicate squares.
Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate and Coconut Oil
Add your white chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each zap, until the chocolate is smooth, silky, and ready to drizzle—take your time and melt gently to avoid scorching.
Step 3: Coat the Cereal
Pour the melted white chocolate mixture over the cereal. With a gentle hand (and maybe a flexible spatula), fold and stir so every rice square gets a luscious, even layer—take care not to crush those beloved Chex!
Step 4: Prepare the Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow Coating
In a large Ziploc bag or clean lidded container, combine the powdered sugar, finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries, strawberry cake mix, and those delicious Golden Oreo crumbs. This bright, fragrant mixture is where all the magic happens!
Step 5: Shake it Up!
Scoop the chocolate-coated cereal straight into the bag with your strawberry-sugar mix. Seal the bag well and shake, shake, shake—make sure every piece gets its special pink makeover and there are no hidden white chocolate spots.
Step 6: Cool and Set
Spread your finished Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow out onto a baking sheet. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, so the chocolate sets and the flavors fully come together. Once cool, transfer to your favorite bowl or airtight container.
How to Serve Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow
Garnishes
To give your Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow extra flair, scatter a handful of whole freeze-dried strawberries or extra cookie crumbles over the top. You can even toss in mini marshmallows, white chocolate chips, or pink sprinkles for a pop of texture and color—perfect for celebrations and dessert buffets!
Side Dishes
This sweet snack is a fantastic companion for a fresh fruit platter, vanilla yogurt cups, or a breezy glass of strawberry lemonade. It pairs especially well with sparkling drinks or fruity cocktails if you’re hosting a party or brunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Spoon Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow into pretty mason jars tied with ribbon for party favors, or portion into paper cones for easy grab-and-go snacking. You can even layer it in parfait glasses with whipped cream and berries for a playfully decadent dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Avoid humidity or direct sunlight—too much moisture can make it lose its signature crunch!
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze your puppy chow in a zip-top bag with as much air removed as possible. The flavors and texture hold up beautifully for about a month—just let it come to room temperature before serving for the best taste and crunch.
Reheating
No need to reheat Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow! If it’s been in the freezer, simply spread it out for 20 minutes at room temp, give it a quick toss, and it’ll be ready for snacking. If it ever seems clumped, a gentle shake or break-apart with clean hands works wonders.
FAQs
Can I use a different cereal instead of Rice Chex?
Absolutely! While Rice Chex gives that classic light crunch, Corn Chex or even Crispix work well too. Just avoid any heavily flavored varieties that might compete with the strawberry shortcake flavors.
Is it safe to use cake mix without baking it?
For peace of mind, you can microwave the dry cake mix on a plate for about 1 minute to heat-treat it before using. Many people skip this step, but it’s a helpful option if you want extra caution.
Can I make a dairy-free version of Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow?
Yes! Substitute dairy-free white chocolate chips and check that your cake mix and cookies are also dairy-free. Coconut oil is already plant-based, so you’re good there.
How do I crush freeze-dried strawberries and Oreos?
The easiest way is to put them in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin or the back of a heavy cup to crush until fine. A food processor works just as well, especially if you’re making a big batch.
Can I double or triple the recipe for a party?
Definitely! The ingredients easily scale up—just make sure you have a big enough mixing bowl and several gallon-size bags for shaking. Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow is always a hit at gatherings, so extra is never a bad idea.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to try a treat that’s stunning, sweet, and supremely snackable, Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow is calling your name. Its vibrant color, playful crunch, and berry shortcake vibes make it a must for every dessert lover’s recipe collection. Give it a go—the only danger is how quickly it disappears!
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Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow is a delightful twist on the classic snack mix, featuring a blend of Rice Chex cereal coated in white chocolate and a medley of strawberry-infused ingredients. This colorful and flavorful treat is perfect for parties, gatherings, or simply satisfying your sweet cravings.
Ingredients
Rice Chex Cereal:
5 cups
White Chocolate Chips:
1 1/2 cups
Freeze-Dried Strawberries:
1 cup, finely crushed
Powdered Sugar:
1 cup
Golden Oreos:
1/2 cup, crushed
Strawberry Cake Mix:
1/4 cup
Coconut Oil:
1 tablespoon
Instructions
- Prepare Cereal: Place Rice Chex cereal in a large mixing bowl.
- Melt White Chocolate: Melt white chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave.
- Coat Cereal: Pour melted chocolate over cereal and stir to coat.
- Prepare Coating: In a Ziploc bag, combine powdered sugar, crushed strawberries, crushed Oreos, and cake mix.
- Coat Cereal: Add coated cereal to the bag, seal, and shake to coat.
- Set: Spread mixture on a baking sheet to cool for 15 minutes before serving or storing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 2mg
Keywords: Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow, snack mix, white chocolate, strawberries, dessert, party treat
